Four Reds hit solo home runs on Monday night against the Pirates that traveled an estimated combined distance of 1,701 feet. Surely, those will make the highlight shows, because homers always draw attention.
On the other hand, in less exciting form, Mike Leake keeps rolling. Leake’s seven innings were the foundation of the Reds’ 4-1 win at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati’s sixth win in its last eight games.
“He’s quietly going on about his business,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “No fanfare, no difference in personality. It’s the same Mike Leake. He’s just pitching.”
Leake allowed one run on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Over his last seven starts (since May 15), he is 5-1 with a 1.15 ERA. He’s allowed one earned run or fewer in six of those starts, including six scoreless against Pittsburgh on June 1 at PNC Park.
“I’m doing all right. Just keep it going as long as I can,” Leake said.
Overall, Leake is 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA in 14 starts. He’s not just solid for a fifth starter, he’s been one of the team’s best pitchers.
“I think it’s mainly just pitching better, mixing it up and kind of breaking down the hitters a little better,” Leake said. “In my mind right now, this is probably the best [I’ve pitched].”
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is among those impressed by Leake.
“He’s been doing this for three months now and building up to this,” Hurdle said. “He’s a good pitcher. When you look at that young man, he’s drafted in the first round, the [eighth] pick in the nation [in 2009]. That’s not projecting a frame, that’s not getting a 6-4, 220-pound guy that’s going to be a horse. That’s a guy that can pitch, and that’s what he’s evolved into, and that’s what he does.
“He keeps the ball out of the middle of the plate, he changes speeds extremely well. And he actually, from his perspective with his skill, he controls the barrel. He gets you out front, he beats with you fastballs. He’s pitching as well as I’ve ever seen him.”
Back in Spring Training a few months ago, Leake wasn’t even a sure thing to make the Reds’ rotation. He was the underdog and the less popular candidate in what was expected to be a fifth-starter battle against Aroldis Chapman.
Of course, Chapman was returned to his closer role and Leake got the spot. Then Leake fended off a challenge from prospect Tony Cingrani, who was called up in May for an injured Johnny Cueto.
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